AST1501 Marking: The final mark is 50% course and 50% research. The detailed percentages listed below refer to the course portion of the mark.

Note: if you write a first-author paper on your project and it is accepted by a refereed journal by one year after grades are due for the course (roughly May 2019), your final mark will be bumped upward (A- to A, A to A+). To qualify your advisor must attest that the paper is truly a first-author effort, i.e. that you took the lead on the work and its writeup.

COURSE Expectations and GRADING ELEMENTs

All enrolled students are expected to

1. Attend and participate in research presentations by faculty members and other class meetings (10% of course portion incl. participation)

2. Find an advisor and a project by the specified deadline (see Timelines tab)
      - Projects should be feasible and interesting, clearly defined, and ultimately publishable.
      - Discuss the project's motivation and background with your advisor
      - Agree on its goals and timeline.
      - Make a plan to meet on a weekly basis with your advisor.

3. Deliver write-ups and talks related to your chosen project: (20% -- 7% written proposal, 8% presentation, 5% feedback)
    - Written project proposals by the specified deadline (see Timelines tab)
        - 3-pages AASTeX manuscript format
        - clear & compelling motivations, methods, timeline, and references
        - will be shared with peers
     - Give feedback on your peers' project proposals by the specified deadline.
     - Revise your proposal, accounting for feedback, by the specified deadline; e-mail to Kristen and your advisor
    - In-class presentations of the project proposal

- Monthly progress updates (10%: 2-3 paragraphs, via email, to me and your advisor due end of each month, starting December)
- Mid-course presentations (15%: 10 min + discussion, dates specified under Timelines tab)
- Final write-up (15%: ApJ Letter length in two-column AASTeX format ,
         *or* draft of paper for submission, within specified deadlines)
- Final project presentations (15%: 15 minutes + question period).

Note on final presentations: you and your advisor are responsible for finding an external faculty member who can evaluate the presentation. After the presentation we will hold a "mini-defence" on the project, so you have the chance to demonstrate your mastery of the subject and get a glimpse of what the thesis qualifying exams will be like.

4. Participate in our discussions and activities to promote good research habits and scientific expression techniques
      - Class meetings, e.g. on presentation technique, science writing, figures and posters, etc.
      - Provide friendly and constructive feedback to your peers, especially on their project proposals and presentations

5. Take part in essential aspects of the scientific life of the Department (15%) by
- Attending weekly colloquia
- Attending Department and CITA seminars as appropriate
- Attending at least one more science-related event per week, such as:
      - astro-ph coffee (preprint discussion)
      - CITA seminars
      - CITA blackboard seminars
      - Group discussions: dynamics, cosmology, star & planet formation, fluids, high-energy/gravity, etc.
    - Talking to people outside your immediate area of research: attending CITA dessert, joining colloquium speakers for dinner, etc.

Finally of course,

6. Do a good job on the research project itself! (The entire 50% research half of the mark!)

So in conclusion ...

It is essential to fully engage with these various activities, even if you already have a research project underway and feel you know what you're up to.

You may find useful supporting information on the webpage Resources for Young Researchers web page, where Chris Matzner has been keeping tips and advice for young graduate students.